Page 216 of By A Thread

My mother knew I was honor-bound to our family and used that to make me walk away from a career that fit me to clean up a mess my father had made.

You never once used me. Never once asked me for anything. And I threw my baggage in your face because I thought I had no idea what a healthy relationship looks like. Harry and Delaney have since informed me differently.

Love,

Dom

* * *

To: Ally

From: Dominic

Subject: Getting to know me

I lay in bed last night thinking about all the things I miss about you. Here’s the Top 10 out of infinity.

10. The way you’re dead to the world when you sleep. A marching band could parade by and you wouldn’t even hear the tubas.

9. The way you play the piano (badly but with charming enthusiasm).

8. Your horrible taste in ice cream.

7. Your optimism. I’ve never been around someone who always believed that things would work out. I hope I didn’t break that because your hopeful heart is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever known.

6. The way you spell things with pepperoni.

5. Your breasts. Let’s be honest. You wouldn’t believe this list if they didn’t make the Top 5.

4. The way you dance. The way you teach others to dance. The way you’re always moving to a beat.

3. The way you say my name in any mood. Sleepy. Hungry. Annoyed. Wanting. I miss it so much sometimes I think I can still hear you calling my name.

2. How you not only conned me into adopting a dog, but you taught me how to make a home for him.

1. Your heart.

Love,

Dom

* * *

To: Ally

From: Dominic

Subject: Getting to know me

I will make this right. Also, I’ve decided that I’ll continue to email you daily for the rest of my life. If you have a problem with that, I encourage you to tell me. Please. Say something. Anything.

Love,

Dom

* * *

To: Ally